A Hand Up

Caiden set his book down, leaned back against the creaky recliner, and closed his eyes. He huffed a big breath and shook his head.

These days are always so boring. I miss being on the force. The excitement was always there and never slowed down.

Caiden sighed. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a picture he always kept with him. It was of him and his best friends, Jeremy and Nick. He was about sixty-five years old now. Jeremy was two years younger and Nick was eight years younger.

Closed his eyes and allowed his mind to travel back to the day he and Nick met Jeremy. It was late in the year 1969. The Vietnam War was coming to end, but the problems for the Veterans were just getting worse.

He first met Jeremy five years ago while on the force with Nick, or what he called him the most, Newbie. It would be a defining moment in both of their careers.

They just finished lunch when they received the call. There was a bad smell behind the kitchen in one of the town’s best restaurants. Caiden asked why two cops were asked to go check it out and been told that the alley was known as a hangout for the homeless.

His Lieutenant said that was an order for him and his Newbie, so they went to check it out.

Once they reached the entrance to the alley behind the restaurant, the newbie stopped and stood still.

“I’m not going in there. I can’t.”

“Why?”

“I just can’t.”

“Fine.” Caiden turned around and headed into the alley alone. Going in alone was against the rules, but someone needed to do it.

Three dumpsters were lined up on the right side of the alley. A large cardboard box sat down towards the end. It was hidden somewhat by the last dumpster. By the size of the box, Caiden knew this was the right alley.

He slowed down as he reached the box, unholstered his gun, and took out his flashlight. It was still early in the day, but the alley was dark. He had to know what he was seeing. Couldn’t go in there unprotected.

The smell was stronger now. Whatever was in the box was causing the smell that leaked into the kitchen of the restaurant.

He looked into the box.

A man, probably as old as himself, lay in a large dirty blanket. His chest and arms were bare. His feet, too. They were coal black. Deep scratches covered the heels.

Caiden shook his head. It’s just a homeless man. I shouldn’t have to ask him to leave, but I have to. He’s causing problems.

He took a step back and walked over. Stopped directly in front of the man and kneeled down.

Carefully grabbed the man’s arm. Shook it.

“Hey, sir. I need you to wake up.” Placed his hand on his knee and waited.

The homeless man slowly moved his legs around and turned on his side. Pulled the blanket over his head and laid still.

“Sir, I mean it. I need you to wake up.” Caiden looked around at the objects around. Scanned each and every one. Needed to know if he could get hurt.

Most of the objects looked like old cans of food. There was also an apple core and an orange peel. A tomato sauce container along with several other ones.

A bright light suddenly hit the corner of his eye not far from the man’s head.

Wait a second. What is that? Moved his hand over to pick up the object. He noticed now that it was smaller and didn’t look at a gun at all.

Paused for a second. Moved the object to the side. Stood back. There’s not one, but multiple objects. They look to be medals.

“Officer don’t touch that. Please. They’re mine.”

Caiden whipped his head towards the homeless man who was now sitting up. “Okay. I won’t, but what are they? And what’s your name?”

The man brought his face up to look right at him. “Jeremy.” Brought his hand forward as if to shake a hand. “They’re my medals. What is your name, Officer? And who’s the one behind you?”

“Sergeant Reeves. And what do you mean –” Caiden turned to look back behind him. “That’s Officer Calderon.” Turned back to Jeremy. “So, they’re medals?”

Jeremy nods his head.

“Army, Navy—?”

“Marines. One very long tour in Vietnam. The medals are a purple heart, a medal of honor, and a Vietnam service medal.” Jeremy carefully moved his legs over. Groaned as he moved his left leg.

“You hurt?”

“Yes. I was medically discharged. A bomb went off near my team’s convoy. It hurt both of my legs, but the left one is worse.”

“Is that why you got the purple heart?”

“No.” Jeremy dropped his head. “I got it because I helped four other Marines to safety before letting the doctors checked on me. It did me no good anyway. Only one of the Marines survived.”

“But you tried and that’s what counts.”

“That’s what the others say, but I don’t believe them. I could’ve done more, but I didn’t.” Jeremy moved his hand to the medals. “Would you like to see them?”

“Sure.” Caiden bent down to get a better look. He noticed movement by the restaurant exit and saw a couple of employees gathering around to watch them. “You’ve got to go somewhere else.”

“I don’t have a place to go.”

“I know a friend who could help. He works with cops who have just left the force. He could probably help you, too.”

“Thanks, Officer, but I don’t have the money.”

“I’ll help you get it.”

“You sure?” Jeremy looked up at Caiden.

“Yeah. I’m sure.”

Handed the medals back to Jeremy. “If you want, I can help you move your stuff. I just need to run back to my precinct and get my car.”

“There’s no need. I can do it on my own.” Jeremy turned to pick up a bag of old bread.

Caiden kneeled down. Grabbed Jeremy’s hand. “You don’t have to and I’m going to help you understand that. What the other people are saying about you guys is wrong. The picture from the My Lai Massacre caused everything to go out of control. We should be helping you, not making things worse than they already are. Only some soldiers were responsible for crimes like that. Not all and we shouldn’t treat everyone as if we were like that.”

“Okay.” Jeremy moved his hand back. “I’ll wait. Just try not to be too long.”

“I won’t.”

Caiden stood up and walked back down the alley. “Come on, Newbie. Let’s get going.”

“So, were those medals?”

“Yes, they were.” Caiden stopped and looked at the newbie. “I’m happy you went down into the alley instead of staying out here.”

“I shouldn’t have let you go in alone. I was almost at the box when I saw the medal. Didn’t know what it was and I was worried that you could be in trouble. So, I went to the rest of the way over.”

“Good, but why didn’t you go in there in the first place?”

“I’m claustrophobic. I should’ve just told you, but I worried what you think and how it would affect our partnership.”

“It’ll cause some problems, but we’ll figure it out. But next time follow orders. That could’ve cost you your job. So, don’t do it again. Got it?”

“Yeah, I got it.”

“Let’s get back to the station. I got to come back here. I’m going to help Jeremy get his stuff moved.”

“Why?”

“Because he’s a Marine and he shouldn’t be living in an alley like that. It’s wrong.”

“I know, right? They go over there and fight because they are forced to and when they come back, they must fight to prove that they are not bad people. I wish it was different.”

“Me, too. You want help?”

“Think he’ll let me?”

“I don’t know, but the more people he knows won’t hurt him the better. So, we can try.”

After a few minutes, Caiden and Newbie arrived at the precinct. He headed over to their Lieutenant while the Newbie went to change.

“Lieutenant wait a second. I need to talk to you.” Caiden hurried to catch him before he made it into his office.

“I thought I told you to check out the problem with the smell, Officer Reeves?” Lieutenant Michaelson turned to him.

Caiden stood his ground. His Lieutenant shouldn’t intimidate him, but he did.

Lieutenant Michaelson stood an impressive six foot five inches. His chest and shoulders were large bulging muscles. He always had a stern look on his face. Almost never had a smile and it was rare when someone got him to laugh.

“I did, Sir. I plan on finishing it once I got off work, which I am scheduled to leave about now.”

“What’s there to finish? What’s the smell?”

“A Marine. He was…”

Lieutenant Michaelson laughed. “A baby killer? Do you want to help a baby killer? Really? Well, it better be off the clock.”

“It will be.” Caiden dropped his head. Sighed. He was never sure why his Lieutenant hated the soldiers, but he did. Michaelson agreed with the people who decided it was a good idea to spit on soldiers and call them names.

“You’re dismissed.” Lieutenant Michaelson turned and walked away.

Caiden looked around the room.

The other officers stared at him with wide eyes.

The Newbie stood off to the side. His body is rigid and subtly quaking. Chin held high. His mouth opened and closed.

Maybe I shouldn’t bring him along. It’ll only make his career go nowhere if someone finds out.

Caiden walked past all the other officers. He slightly tilted his head at the door.

Then Newbie nodded and quickly headed out of the station.

Caiden headed to the locker room, got changed, and headed out the door to his car. Stopped when he reached it and turned to the newbie, Nick.

“Let us get going. We shouldn’t stay here any longer.” Nick took a deep breath. “I can’t stay here any longer.”

Caiden dropped his head. “I don’t think you should come. It’ll only mess up your career.”

“I don’t care. I’m coming anyway.”

“What?” Turned to face Nick. “Did you just hear what I said?”

“I did and I’m ignoring it. I have a good reason and I’ll explain why on the way to Jeremy.” Nick hoped into the car and leaned back. “Let’s get going.”

Caiden smiled. He was starting to like Nick and now he might lose him. But it was for a good cause. Actually, the best cause.

He hopped in and started to drive.

“Now, explain to me.” Took a deep breath and let his grip lessen on the steering wheel. “Please.”

“Okay. My older brother Rodney went to Vietnam as well. The only difference…” Nick paused again. “Give me a minute. It’s hard to explain.”

Caiden waited patiently for Nick to continue. I should’ve learned more about him. I was wrong for not doing so.

“He was in the Navy and he didn’t come home. His plane along with three others was shot out of the sky.” Nick’s voice wavered and then cracked. “When the others from their group came home, they received the same treatment as Jeremy. It was then that I decided I wasn’t going to stand for that kind of behavior.”

“I’m sorry, Nick. I never thought to ask about your family, but that’s something I should have done. I’ll get better about it. I promise.”

“You don’t have to. Not for me anyway. I am done at that station. I am going to request to leave and go to another one, but if I can’t, I’m going to quit. I will not work with someone like Lieutenant Michaelson. I just won’t.”

“Nick, wait a second.” Caiden pulled over and turned to him. “Please don’t leave. I have not wanted to work with Lieutenant Michaelson for a while, but I have done so without much of a fight. Please don’t leave us. I know that’s sound sel–”

“It doesn’t just sound selfish. It is. I will think about it, but you can’t bug me. Okay?”

“Okay.” Caiden dropped his shoulders, merged back onto the road, and continued on.

Once they reached the entrance to the back street, Caiden parked the car.

“We can’t let the Lieutenant, or the others get to him first.” Turned to Nick. “We don’t know what they’ll do to him.”

“Yeah. I know.”

Caiden stopped when they reached the corner of the restaurant. “Wait here a second.”

“I’m not your rookie right now. We’re not on the job.”

Caiden moved to block Nick’s path. “I know we’re not on the job but wait here. I know more about this kind of stuff than you. And besides, they’ll listen to me better.”

“You sure we will, Caiden? You want to help the baby killer and that’s the wrong thing to do.”

Caiden stopped. Tightened his fist. That was Michaelson’s voice for sure.

“Is that Michaelson?” Nick took a step back. Turned to him. “He beat us here. How?”

Caiden opened his mouth to respond, but Michaelson answered for him. “I drove past you two when you two were sitting on the side of the road. Nick, do you realize that you sided against your lieutenant? That’s not a smart thing to do.”

“I know, but I’m going to stand up for what I believe in. And Caiden believes in what I do.”

Caiden smiled at Nick. He turned around the corner and stepped into the alley. To the left side of the alley stood eight to nine officers in police uniforms. Those officers stood closest to Michaelson with Jeremy only a few feet away from them. Several of them along with Michaelson had their batons out.

Eleven more officers stood on the opposite side of the alley. Most of those officers were in civilian clothes and seemed unsure of what was going on.

“Yeah, Michaelson, I do believe the others will side with me instead of you. It’s wrong what you and some of the others are trying to do. It wasn’t Jeremy’s…” Paused and turned to Nick. Smiled. “Rodney’s, or the others’ decisions to go Vietnam. It was none of the soldiers. They had to do it or they would go to jail.

Even if some really bad things happened over there, we can’t fault the Veterans who’ve actually made it back home. It’s not right to mistreat all of them for some of the horrible things a few soldiers might have done.”

Caiden paused. Looked at Jeremy.

Jeremy was near his box curled in on himself. His left cheek was swollen, and his nose was bloody. He also seemed to be favoring his hurt leg a lot more.

Caiden turned back to Michaelson and took a step forward. “What you’re doing right now is called police brutality. You may not think so, but it is true. You are setting a bad example for all of the officers who follow you and you shouldn’t do that. Not at all.”

The other officers in the alley looked from Michaelson to Caiden. Some remained with Michaelson for fear of losing their job and their own disgust for the war while others moved to stand behind Caiden.

Caiden glanced back and forth between each officer before moving over to Jeremy. He knelt down and carefully looked him over.

“Hey, Jeremy. You okay?” Reached out a hand. “Come on. Let us get you out of here.”

“I’m okay. I’m going to need some help getting away from here. Lieu–”

“Jeremy, just stop right there. He doesn’t deserve to be called Lieutenant after what he’s done.” Caiden smiled when he heard a nearby gasp. He took a risk saying it, but he was tired of ignoring what he felt about Michaelson and how he treated Veterans.

“Thanks.” Jeremy grabbed his hand and gently pushed himself off the ground. “Did you mean what you said right now and before?”

“I did. Every bit of it.” They turned and slowly headed towards Nick. “Hey, Nick. Give me a hand.”

Nick walked over and put his shoulder under Jeremy’s arm. “They’re wrong for treating you like that.”

“We’re cops and you shouldn’t have had to fight for basic human decency when you got home.” He raised his voice just high enough for the rest of the cops to hear. “Our jobs are to protect everyone and some of us aren’t doing that. And for those who are not, they shouldn’t have their jobs. They have got no right to have them. They broke the oath they swore to follow.”

Caiden stopped after they passed by the group. He turned back to Michaelson and smiled as most of the officers standing by Michaelson moved over to stand by him. “Now what are you going to do? Your station doesn’t trust you and you can’t just fire everyone.”

“I’ll talk to my bosses.” Michaelson smirked and crossed his arms. “They’ll listen to me. I’m the higher-ranking officer. It’s your word against mine.”

“After what you did, I don’t think they will. And if they do, they’re just as bad as you.” Caiden turned back to Jeremy and Nick. “Let’s get out of here.”

Jeremy turned to face Caiden. “We can’t leave just yet. Lieutenant Michaelson took my medals just before you and Nick arrived.”

Caiden turned to one of the nearby officers. “Please come help him while I talk with Michaelson.”

Once the officer took his place, he turned back around and walked right up to Michaelson’s face. “Hand them over. They’re not yours.”

“They shouldn’t belong to him. He doesn’t deser–”

Caiden punched Michaelson right in the nose. Stuck his hand in Michaelson’s pocket and pulled out the medals. Walked back over to Jeremy.

“Here you go. They belong to you. If they were given to you, then that is where they belong. I know you wouldn’t have lied when you told me what happened to you and your fellow Marines.”

“Thanks, Ser–”

“No, it’s not Sergeant. It is just Caiden. Nick’s right. Being a police officer is not worth it if I have to deal with people like Michaelson.”

Caiden opened his eyes from the memory and smiled. That was a day he would never forget and the results following that day only made it even better.

Michaelson had been stripped of his position and was put on unpaid suspension pending a formal review. After he was allowed to return, he was placed in the basement doing desk work. Nick had decided to stay. Together, they were doing all they could to help Jeremy recover and reacclimate to society. They all would become great friends. To top it off, Caiden was made the Lieutenant and the station was now his.

He got up and walked into the house. There would always be another time to think back on the many adventures he, Nick, and Jeremy had.

*This is the first one in a series of short stories about Caiden, Nick, and Jeremy as their friendship builds.